Transform Your Charitable Giving with a Fund at Parasol

Charitable giving is simple and effective with a donor fund at Parasol. We offer a variety of methods for you to contribute to the causes you care about - here in the Tahoe region, across the nation and around the world. We are a donor-centered organization that provides the highest level of service to each and every donor. Our experienced staff can assist you in creating positive impact with your gifts today - no matter the size - while our investment strategies can help you to grow your contributed assets to continue to meet the needs of tomorrow.

+ Benefits of a Fund at Parasol

The benefits of establishing a fund at Parasol are many. Here's just a few:

Simple & Flexible

You may contribute a wide variety of assets, from simple to complex

You may give now, give later as part of your estate plans, or both

You may make grant recommendations to qualified organizations anywhere in the world

You benefit from the most favorable tax deductions under IRS regulations

You are eligible for a tax deduction in the year you make a gift to your fund and then you may recommend grants over time, effectively separating your tax decisions from your charitable giving decisions

Cost Effective

We handle all administrative tasks, so you free up your time and reduce your expenses

We manage our investments through our experienced Investment Committee, rather than an outside manager, which reduces the fees charged to your fund

We provide a low-cost alternative to opening and operating a private foundation

Investment Expertise

Our Investment Committee is comprised of successful investment managers that bring their global perspective to the investment of community charitable assets

Your contributed assets are pooled with those under management at Parasol allowing for greater diversification and economies of scale

You may name your fund for yourself, your family, an organization, in memory of a loved one or choose a name that protects your privacy

No matter what name you choose, you can remain anonymous if privacy is important when making any gift or grant

You may engage family members in the grant making process

We are very knowledgeable about regional issues and needs, as well as the quality organizations addressing those needs, and can assist you in making informed giving decisions

We are available to work with you to create grant agreements, monitor grant reporting, and arrange site visits with non-profit organizations

Since your interests are not always local, we can research organizations providing services in your areas of interest both nationally and beyond

+ Types of Funds

Parasol offers a variety of funds to help you realize your charitable giving goals.

ADVISED FUNDS

Donor Advised Funds

These popular funds provide a convenient and flexible method for individuals, families, groups and businesses who want to be personally involved with their giving. You make contributions to your fund and receive the tax benefit at the time of the deposit. While Parasol invests the charitable assets for growth, you may recommend grants over time to the specific causes and organizations you care about most. Donor advised funds are a positive alternative to a private foundation.

Committee Advised Funds

A committee advised fund is created by a group of people who are partnering with Parasol to realize shared charitable goals. A committee advised fund is subject to the same guidelines as donor advised funds, however, grant recommendation decisions are mutually decided with grant recommendations being provided to Parasol by the Committee Chair.

Memorial Funds

When faced with a personal loss, family and friends often want a thoughtful way of honoring a loved one. A memorial fund turns memorial gifts into a lasting legacy in your loved one's name. Once the fund is established, you have up to six months from the date of the first gift to reach the minimum gift requirement. For amounts less than the minimum, Parasol staff can work with you to identify an appropriate nonprofit to receive memorial fund contributions directly.

Scholarship Funds

Many donors choose to give the gift of education. Through a scholarship fund you can benefit student education or support a specific institution. The donor may determine the required criteria for scholarships awarded from the fund.

CHARITABLE FUNDS (non-advised)

Designated Funds

Donors who wish to support a specific organization(s) can establish a designated fund. These funds may support the organization(s) for a set period of time or in perpetuity. If the original organization ceases to exist, becomes obsolete or is unable to perform according to their charitable purpose, the Parasol Board of Directors is able to redirect the funds to an organization providing similar services without additional administrative costs.

Field of Interest Funds

These funds are established to support particular areas of interest, specific program initiatives, causes or geographic areas. These funds are restricted to a defined area of interest, while remaining somewhat flexible to meet changing situations.

Unrestricted Funds

These funds provide Parasol's Board of Directors with the ability to direct funds to support the Tahoe region's greatest and most important needs - benefiting Tahoe now and for generations to come.

Legacy Funds

Legacy funds may be established through your estate plan. These funds are a way for you to support your favorite charities or causes forever, creating a lasting legacy. Parasol is committed to preserving your charitable intentions along with your legacy.

ALTERNATIVE FUND OPTION

Supporting Organization

As an alternative to a donor fund or private foundation, you may establish a supporting organization at a fraction of the cost and responsibility. A supporting organization has its own board and grantmaking identity, allowing you to stay personally involved in your charitable giving. A supporting organization enjoys public charity status along with Parasol's donor services support.

+ What is an Endowment

There is no better way to power your philanthropy and preserve your charitable giving legacy than endowing your fund at Parasol.

Endowing Your Fund

Albert Einstein once called compound interest "the most powerful force in the universe." By endowing your fund at Parasol you tap that power. Through endowment you ensure lasting impact by preserving your principle gift(s) and making grants from income. Your endowed fund is invested in our Long Term Horizon earning returns that allow you to provide for charitable needs in perpetuity through continued growth. Over time, the amount granted exceeds the original contribution(s) to the fund and all the while your principle remains intact and grows over time.

And Parasol will always be here to protect and preserve your charitable intentions and legacy - forever.

+ Types of Gifts

To make your charitable giving convenient, Parasol has the ability to accept a variety of gifts. Your gifts today will support your current charitable giving goals. Additionally, you can take advantage of several estate planning strategies designed to help you make charitable gifts while enjoying tax benefits, preserving economic security for yourself and your loved ones, and creating a legacy of giving.

GIVE NOW

Cash

Cash gifts - checks, credit cards, or actual cash - are the easiest way to give. Because Parasol is a 501(C)3 public charity, contributions qualify for the maximum deductibility for income, gift, and estate tax purposes.

Marketable or Closely Held Securities

Gifts of securities also provide tax advantages. Stock, bonds, or mutual funds may be used to establish a fund or add to an existing fund. The added benefit of giving appreciated securities held for more than one year is the avoidance of the capital gains tax on the appreciated portion of the gift. Gifts of closely held stock enjoy the same tax benefits as publicly traded stock.

Real Estate & Other Complex Gifts

Money is not the only gift option. Real estate, mineral & timber rights, business interests, and tangible personal property all can be used to establish your charitable fund while providing you with tax benefits. Due to the complexity of these items, these types of gifts are subject to review and approval by the Parasol Board of Directors.

Transfers from an Existing Private Foundation

Administering a private foundation under IRS rules can be burdensome and expensive. It is easy and convenient to consolidate a private foundation into a Donor Advised Fund or Supporting Organization at Parasol. Advantages include: anonymity, naming of successor advisors, administrative cost savings and preferred charitable deductibility of additional gifts.

GIVE LATER

Bequests

Including a charitable bequest in your will or trust is a simple way to make a lasting gift. You may use the gift to establish a fund or add to an existing fund. Bequests to a fund at Parasol allow your charitable intentions to be carried out in perpetuity and can significantly reduce taxes on your estate.

Retirement Plans

A retirement plan, such as a profit sharing plan, 401(k), Keogh, 403(b) or IRA, is one of the best types of assets to transfer to a charity. Because it produces taxable income, an heir will pay income tax on disbursements. If you wish to make a charitable bequest, it is usually better to transfer these taxable assets to a tax-exempt charity, such as Parasol, and to transfer assets not subject to income tax to your heirs.

Life Insurance

Life insurance can be used to create a charitable gift in one of two ways. First, you can transfer ownership of a policy to Parasol and receive a current income tax deduction in the year the transfer is made. Second, while retaining ownership of a policy, you can name Parasol as the beneficiary of the policy.

Charitable Remainder Trust

A Charitable Remainder Trust is a type of deferred gift created so that you or another beneficiary you designate receives a lifetime income. At the termination of the trust, the assets are transferred to Parasol to support charitable causes.

Charitable Lead Trust

A Charitable Lead Trust provides income to Parasol for a set number of years to support charitable causes. Then, at the end of that period, the remaining balance is distributed to the named beneficiaries of the trust, often with significant tax savings.

Charitable Gift Annuity

Setting up a Charitable Gift Annuity at Parasol allows you to receive a guaranteed income for life and an immediate tax deduction, while leaving a charitable legacy for the community.

Tahoe Legacy Society

This honorary society distinguishes those who intend to leave a legacy to their community through a charitable bequest or other planned gift to the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation. Members are recognized as special partners in philanthropy and acknowledged for investing in the positive future of the Tahoe region.

For a copy of our Gift Acceptance Policy, please contact Cari Gutheil, our CFO, at 775-298-0185 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation does not engage in rendering legal, financial or tax advice. Please contact your professional advisor(s) regarding your personal situation.

+ Establishing Your Fund

Establishing your personal donor fund at Parasol is easy. Here’s how:

Determine your charitable giving goals and estate planning needs

Meet with Parasol staff to determine the best type of fund to meet your goals and needs

Consider endowing your fund

Sign a simple Donor Fund Agreement with Parasol

Create a name for your fund

Select the appropriate investment strategy for your fund

Transfer the required minimum deposit to your fund

Begin recommending grants to qualified charities, anywhere in the world

Learn More

To arrange a personal meeting to discuss how Parasol might be a good fit for your charitable giving, please contact Claudia Andersen, our CEO, at 775-298-0187.

We are also available to meet with you and your professional advisors - CPA, estate attorney, financial planner - to assist you in creating your charitable giving plan.

Investment Strategy

One of the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation's most important responsibilities is our stewardship of charitable funds entrusted to our care. We have a broadly diversified investment portfolio that is structured to produce investment returns that exceed market averages while moderating risk, with the goal of enabling our donors to maximize their philanthropic giving.

We do not engage in market timing. Funds available for investment are invested promptly, and funds needed for distributions are liquidated promptly. Similarly, market fluctuations do not trigger changes in the investment mix targets for our four investment horizon categories.

Investment Horizon Categories

To meet the philanthropic objectives of donor funds, investments can be made in one or more of four investment horizon categories: Long Term, Intermediate Term, Short Term and Socially Responsible. A Fund’s risk appetite and the time horizon over which the Fund will exist determine its investment horizon; the longer the investment horizon, the greater the expected return.

Investment Options

Long Term

Intermediate Term

Short Term

Socially Responsible

Long Term

Goal: To achieve average annual returns several percentage points greater than inflation with the prospect of periodic market value drops over market cycles. Designed to suit endowment funds invested for perpetuity and funds with long remaining lives and modest annual payouts.

Intermediate Term

Goal: Returns slightly greater than inflation over time and an allowance for occasional market value dips within five year periods. Ideal for funds whose inflows are large, but infrequent relative to annual outflows.

Short Term

Goal: Relatively steady market values over time plus some inflation protection. Suited to accounts which receive periodic injections and/or have large annual payouts relative to their average balance.

Socially Responsible

Goal: Investments are screened for certain environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. Ideal for funds seeking to consider both financial return and social good to bring about a social change.

Parasol Investment Committee

Few community foundations have the breadth of financial experience and savvy offered by the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation. Our Investment Committee members are some of the most successful and experienced entrepreneurs in the financial world. These volunteers direct Parasol’s investment philosophy, process and management, bringing a global perspective to the investment of community charitable assets.

Investment Committee Members &nbsp

Parasol Investment Committee

Aaron Moore, Chair: Former Chief Technology Officer and Board Member of Zephyr Associates, a leading provider of investment analysis software

About Us

We are the Tahoe region's philanthropic center, a community leader on regional issues and a catalyst for effective non-profit collaboration. As the area's oldest and largest community foundation, we are dedicated to cultivating community philanthropy to enhance and preserve the quality of life at Tahoe.Donor Privacy Policy

Donor Privacy Policy

All contact information is used for internal purposes only and never published. The IRS does require the reporting of donor contact information on Form 990, but this information is not for public inspection.

Fund names are published in Parasol’s communication material and media, unless a donor chooses for his/her fund not to be listed.

Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation does not sell, trade or share its donor list with any organization.

It is our desire to not send unwanted mail to our donors. Please contact us if you wish to be removed from our mailing list.